'Archaic' English football means I have to look elsewhere for my first manager's job, claims Sol

Sol Campbell believes his only chances of succeeding as a coach or manager will come from working abroad because of the 'archaic attitudes' towards black individuals that blight the domestic game.

Campbell is currently taking a three-year coaching course to pursue a new career across Europe.

Ambitious: But Sol Campbell believes he is being held back by his skin colour

BLACK MANAGERS IN ENGLAND

Chris Hughton, Norwich

Chris Powell, Charlton

Paul Ince, Blackpool

Chris Kiwomya, Notts County

And he told the Guardian: 'I want to start abroad. There are no opportunities for me here, not until attitudes change anyway. Everyone has to ask themselves why there are not more black managers in this country and why the likes of Brian Deane have to go abroad (to Sarpsborg 08 in Norway) to get a chance.

'I've spoken to other black players who want to coach and they feel the same, that attitudes here are archaic. I hope and pray the environment changes.'

Throughout the English game there are four black managers only: Norwich's Chris Hughton, Charlton's Chris Powell, Paul Ince of Blackpool and Notts County's Chris Kiwomya.

Decorated: Campbell played at the highest level for the majority of his career

Leading lights? Chris Hughton and Chris Powell both show true promise as managers

Campbell had hoped his first steps into coaching could come within the England setup, but he says their approach soon 'went cold' and believes their attitude can be captured by their subsequent appointment of the equally inexperienced Gary Neville – another regular in the England defence in which Campbell so heavily featured – as assistant manager.

'I gave my heart and soul for the national team but the FA were not there for me when I had problems,' he said.

'It's obvious they want nice people who won't cause them any problems. I put out an olive branch and it got broken, but whatever, I'm ready to move on.'

England assistant: Gary Neville is already an established member of the international setup

International team-mates: Campbell (third right, back row) and Neville (second left, front row) played in the same England team for years